The dangers of not indicating

Research finds drivers who don?t use their blinkers cause more crashes than people talking on mobile phones.

30 April 2012Matt Campbell

Old fashioned indicator.

Drivers who don't use their blinkers are more likely to cause an accident than those who are distracted by their mobile phone, a US report has found.

The study, conducted by the US Society of Automotive Engineers, monitored 12,000 instances where drivers should have used their indicators, mainly when changing lanes or turning corners.

It estimates that, while ?not every absent turn signal results in a crash", indicator neglect could result in up to 2 million crashes over a 12 month period. In comparison, the US Department of Transportation estimates that 950,000 crashes are the result of "distracted driving", or using your phone to text or talk while moving.

"This is a first of its kind report on a subject that amazingly, has never been studied," says Richard Ponziani, President of RLP Engineering and author of the report.

"The turn signal is one of the very original automotive crash prevention devices and this simple driver to driver communication device remains extremely effective, but only when it is accurately displayed as required by law," he says.

"The turn signal can no longer be considered 'optional' and all drivers have an ongoing duty to use it, just as they have a duty to stop at a stop sign or at a red light" he says.

The report suggests a solution to the problem - it labels them "Smart Turn Signals" - which use sensors and a computer to remind the driver if they fail to indicate.

The system works as part of the car's stability control unit, so according to SAE it should not cost any extra.

The organisation estimates that US drivers fail to indicate about 2 billion times a day.